Friday, February 6, 2009

Delta School


Next week I will be in Hot Springs at the Delta School of Professional Photography which I serve on the Board. This is a great educational opportunity. Over the course of four days student's will get an intense small group learning and mentoring experience.

For school info (800)449-9578
www.deltaschool.com
February 8-12, 2009
Austin Hotel and Convention Center
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

New Studio and Gallery




We have decided to move our Little Rock studio. Two years ago when we opened our second location we looked on Kavanaugh, but at the time their wasn't anything available. Well our lease was up and the building at 5813 Kavanaugh was for lease. So in the course of about a week we have gutted, painted, built, wired and moved into our new space. Here are a few shots of the work in progress. I will post some finished photos soon. I could not have done this job without the help of many friends. You know who you are and I appreciate you all. We will have a grand opening or open house soon. Watch for details or if you are in the heights drop by and see us. We are between Browning's mexican restaurant and the Sushi Cafe on Kavanaugh.

Wedding Traditions


This shot was taken right after Brooke and Warren saw each other for the first time about 2 hours before the ceremony. It would not have been possible if they would not have seen each other before hand.

This is a little article that describes a question I get on every wedding.

Post by RELENTLESSBRIDE on Blogger Bride at getmarried.com.


"We have had many Brides ask about meeting before the Ceremony and we love it for many reason but do understand tradition. But where do those tradition begins. While most of the Wedding traditions come from a very very long time ago, and we see that some might be out of style..

So here is the tradition about it being "Bad Luck" to see each other before the wedding:


The tradition holds to the idea that in ancient times, often the first time the bride and groom saw one another was at the actual ceremony b/c many marriages were arranged. Thus, in fear that either the bride or groom would reject the other prior based on disliking the other's looks, they were kept from seeing one another until the actual ceremony. Also, the veil was used to hidden the bride's face until the actual ceremony was done and the legalities were sealed with a kiss at which point, it was too late to change your mind. Thus, they say it is bad luck to see each other before the actual ceremony. As one blogger puts it "So the tradition that it’s “bad luck” for a man to see his bride before the ceremony really started out as insurance for her dad (b/c he had arranged the marriage of his daughter with a stranger)"

Reasons why many people are going the "non-traditional" route and seeing each other pre-ceremony:

* The wow moment can still be there as when you walk down the aisle, except in this private moment, the bride and groom can truly enjoy it with full emotion and the privacy of holding on to that moment between the two.
* Photographs can be taken of immediate family, friends and bridal party. This can help make the after ceremony photo session shorter, and give thebride and groom a chance to enjoy the cocktail hour with their guests.
* Getting the photographer to focus on "the moment" that the bride and groom see each other. The Bride and Groom can also pick the scenery in which these pics will be taken... this can give this set of photos a more artistic scenery while also maintaining the pictures from the actual ceremony.
* It can alleviate the "stress" of seeing one another making the moment more enjoyable and less stressful during the ceremony.
* Enjoy the photo shoot without worrying about the guests or that you are missing out on the cocktail hour
* You feel fresher. Make up, hair and etc are all fresher. And if its earlier in the day, it could be cooler depending on which season you have your wedding in
* Technically, last minute details can be discussed - although this is not so romantic, it can definitely help in the practicality aspect.

The part that appeals most to me is that the photographer can really capture the moment (and the immediate moments that lead to) the first moment we see one another. It really can be more romantic and dramatic this way, b/c the wow factor would still be there but there will would also be less distraction!"

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Canon 5D Mark II


Sorry I have been out of the loop. I am playing catch up from the holiday break. I am working on a new website, blog as well as a new charitable photography side to the business. In spite of my lack of posting there is more going on than ever. I have several big things in the works so check back soon for a lot of changes. Oh yeah, If there was any doubt that I would be getting this camera it all disappeared the minute I watched this video. "Reverie" Shot entirely with the new 5D. This camera will change the way I do photography.
This is a still shot from Vincent Laforets video "Reverie"
You must watch it.

Monday, November 10, 2008

My Sweetie

I know we have talked enough about Brooke's wedding but I had to include one last photo of Melissa and I dancing at the reception. Destination weddings are one of my favorites especially when Melissa comes along.

More from Brooke's Wedding

" Just a few weekends ago we experienced a bitter sweet moment for Lance Johnston Photographers! As most of you know, Brooke Bailey married a Massachusetts boy and is no longer working for Lance Johnston Photographers! It was a short but fun time that she was on our staff as wedding photographer and manager for the Conway Studio. She moved to Colorado after high school to study photography and fell in love that state ( and also fell in love with Warren Thomas). So of course when they got engaged her first reaction was " WEDDING IN APSEN"! We were all very excited to hear that she was engaged, getting married AND that WE were going to be her photographers for her wedding! The setting could not have been more beautiful! I agree now when photographers say "location location location".... But of course our subjects were perfect as well! We hope you enjoy looking at a few of the highlights from the weekend!

(the first picture is one that Brooke's mom took a week before the wedding when they had a huge snow! Of course the snow was gone by the time we landed in Aspen! But i'm so glad that her mom caught this photo! It describes Brooke adequately)

Barbara






Sunday, November 9, 2008

Senior Time Again

Here are a few of Hannah's senior pics. Seniors is one of my absolute favorite things to shoot. If you are a senior or have a senior give us a call.



What's New

Hey guys there has been a lot going on. I just got back from our annual trip to Dallas. I will post some shots soon from that.
Earlier this week we made a trip to Jonesboro and photographed several new families. Thanks to Brandon and Brandy Adams for their hospitality. Melissa Barb and I also recently returned from Aspen where we were shooting Brooke's wedding. It was incredible. I love Colorado anytime of the year. Here are a few shots from the wedding that Barb and I took.












Friday, October 10, 2008

Wedding at the Rockefellers

Here are a couple of images from Liza and Chris's wedding at the Rockefeller mansion. This was without a doubt one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever shot. Barbara, Brooke and I shot all weekend on this wedding and it was amazing.